Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Scars remain two years on - ABC Local


Physical scars can still be seen in the town of Grantham. The water and mud and flood debris is long gone, and the gardens are slowly growing back.


"But I still don't have a laundry!" Linda Godley says.


While some rebuilt in a brand new estate on the high side of town, Linda and her family stayed in their original home as it was deemed structurally sound.


"Two years and we're still not back on track."


The family have been juggling work and live-in house renovating for the past two years. 'Renovating' is hardly adequate a word to describe what had to be done.


"You have a cry. But that's it, you have to get on with it. You're tired. But you've just got to do it."


"It'll probably take us five years to get back on our feet."


Even though she's keeping spirits high, Linda admits it has been tough. "It is mentally stressful. You haven't got what you had before." And she's not just talking about "stuff".


"It's there every day of the year," Linda explains. "I don't think an anniversary date makes you think 'ok I'm going to remember it today and not the other 364 days'. But you can't let it rule your life."


The people are resilient and determined to rebuild their lives, and homes.


"There are still people who aren't in their houses yet," Linda explains. "And wherever they are, that's not home."


Linda says she won't ever forget what happened to her town and family, but doesn't feel alone.


"I think the majority of people, especially in Queensland, have been through something. Now we've got all the bushfires down south. We had Yasi, and the Japan tsunami."


"Look at Japan, they went through ten times what we went through."


"You've just got to keep on going and help each other," Linda Godley says. "That's all you can do."



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